A 64-YEAR-OLD man has been spared an immediate jail sentence for possession of indecent images of children.

Stephen Manthorp, of Victoria Avenue, Keighley, was today (Wednesday) given six-months in prison, suspended for two years, with 120 hours of unpaid work.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made for seven years and he must register as a sex offender for seven years.

Manthorp pleaded guilty to making 43 Category A images; 16 at Category B; and 24 at Category C, between June 1, 2020, and May 20 last year.

Prosecutor Lydia Pearce told Bradford Crown Court that he was arrested on July 21 last year and his computer seized.

The court heard in mitigation that Manthorp’s relationship had come to an end after his arrest.

He was genuinely remorseful and disgusted with himself. It was during lockdown and he was isolated for many months.

Manthorp was drinking far too much at the time. He looked at the images only while extremely drunk and then felt self-loathing afterwards.

He was a carer for his brother and had no previous convictions.

Judge Colin Burn said the abuse of the child victims had an horrendous effect on their lives.

But he was now doing voluntary work for the community, showing that he was remorseful and wanted to put things right.